The executive, legislature and judiciary are the three important branches interwoven into the framework of our democracy. Their roles being well recognized and distinct, the question of executive meddling in the affairs of the legislature and judiciary should not even arise. The legislature and judiciary are the two independent bodies acting as pillars on which our democracy is based. Any conflict from the executive on these two arms would bring down the structure
of democracy.
The legislature must show that it is proficient and autonomous to handle its own issues. By succumbing to the merciless capricious whims of the executive branch to flout judicial rulings and legislature control of its sitting calendar is a sign of gross interference in their operations. This being the case in Malawi democracy, the executive influence has generated an ambiance of animosity and suspicion with an image of being devotee and biased.
The judiciary has been acted well as a watchdog for any branch of law or conduct of members of parliament though to the chagrin of President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Parliament has to function within the framework of the Constitution. The parliamentarians or anyone hard done by who is a Malawian member of parliament has a right to appeal to the judiciary against any decree passed by Parliament. But you do not appeal before the verdict has been passed.
The news that the Speaker of the national assembly has been bribed is the most scandalous thing we have heard this year. However, I am not surprised at all. Past experiences are clear that when the President is cornered, he can stoop so low to engage in anything that will save his presidency. It is only in Malawi where the wholesale President will instruct a guard to switch off the lights in the Parliament building in order to disrupt the deliberations and embrace the most disgusting mercenaries (Alistair Graham Minnaar formerly of Executive Outcomes is a case in point) to save his political power cravings.
The Speaker of National Assembly is supposed to be a very important and serious man and Chimango as a principled person was suited to this position but the power of money and “blind loyalty” to the executive has made him to be out of touch.
Speaker is not supposed to have any liaisons with the President or any Party. By allowing his daughter to work for the President’s daughter, the Speaker has compromised his position. No wonder there are allegations that his wife has been bragging about the US$50,000 he got from the President as a way of buying his co-operation on the Section 65 matter.
When the Supreme Court of Appeal crystalised the interpretation of Section 65, one would have thought that the Speaker was going to give his explanation to parliamentarians especially all parties went frenzy with petitions galore culminated by the court injunction.
Somehow, the Speaker has chosen to keep mum on this matter hence throwing the whole honourable house into a pre-boxing match press conference. It should be noted that with the ruling, government is sinking to the nethermost ebb day by day with political gaffes arising from the executive as it clings to a falling house. They will go down fighting the dirtiest of battles in modern political history.
Elsewhere, the Speaker of the national assembly has the responsibility to clamor for people's intervention to deal with corrupt members of Parliament this includes the MPs who selfishly cross the floor. The reasoning being that the society should impose punishment on corrupt parliamentarians. Unfortunately, the reverse is true in Malawi; the Speaker is the champion of corruption. How does an entire Speaker sell his morality for US$50, 000?
After the Particia Kaliati debacle in Dubai, we thought that lessons were learnt and that for some time we were going to focus our minds on something very different and nationally productive. Our bruised minds deserve better. But alas! The shindig continues. The very President who has always talked so highly about his fight against corruption has now joined the “mob” in the palm oiling business. Indeed as Henry Mussa bragged to the chiefs in Chiradzulu district, nothing will be done.
To all Malawians this is the time to be more aware of what is happening in Parliament before it is too late. Malawians should not let the rogue MPs get away with immorality and selfishness. We have been taken for a roller-coaster ride for too long.
The Bishops as custodians of social justice should start talking now and if these allegations of corruption are true then the Speaker must resign and an independent body must investigate this issue. Amen!
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Malawi celebrates independence anniversary amid political impasse
Malawi''s 43rd independence anniversary commemorated on Friday was overshadowed by the current political rift between President Bingu Wa Mutharika''s government and opposition parties over crossing the floor by parliamentarians.
Malawi has been thrown into political turmoil especially in the country''s parliament since June 15 when the Supreme Court of Appeal made a landmark ruling that is likely to further weaken Mutharika''s already weak stand in the national assembly.
The country''s highest court ruled that legislators who quit a political party that sponsored them to the national assembly to join other parties represented in the chamber shall be deemed to have crossed the floor and must therefore lose their seats.
The ruling dealt a painful blow to Mutharika''s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) whose majority members in parliament numbering about 70 defected from other parties, especially the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).
The main event to mark Malawi''s 43 years of independence from British rule was organized in Blantyre, which was graced by Mutharika.
Visibly absent at the event were leaders of Malawi''s major opposition parties, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the former ruling UDF, who are vehemently putting pressure on Speaker of the national assembly, Louis Chimango, to declare vacant seats of legislators affected by the court ruling.
Mutharika, however, took advantage of the event to categorically state that his party and government were not against application of the court ruling, which if applied could see his DPP completely weakened in parliament as the party is bound to lose close to 70 legislators.
Malawi has been thrown into political turmoil especially in the country''s parliament since June 15 when the Supreme Court of Appeal made a landmark ruling that is likely to further weaken Mutharika''s already weak stand in the national assembly.
The country''s highest court ruled that legislators who quit a political party that sponsored them to the national assembly to join other parties represented in the chamber shall be deemed to have crossed the floor and must therefore lose their seats.
The ruling dealt a painful blow to Mutharika''s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) whose majority members in parliament numbering about 70 defected from other parties, especially the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).
The main event to mark Malawi''s 43 years of independence from British rule was organized in Blantyre, which was graced by Mutharika.
Visibly absent at the event were leaders of Malawi''s major opposition parties, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the former ruling UDF, who are vehemently putting pressure on Speaker of the national assembly, Louis Chimango, to declare vacant seats of legislators affected by the court ruling.
Mutharika, however, took advantage of the event to categorically state that his party and government were not against application of the court ruling, which if applied could see his DPP completely weakened in parliament as the party is bound to lose close to 70 legislators.
Mutharika seeks ‘divine intervention’ over political crisis
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has indicated that the unstable political situation in the country requires the seeking of divine intervention and has asked Malawians to dedicate July 15 as a national day of prayers.
In a speech to the nation, to mark the country’s 43rd independence anniversary, President Mutharika asked leaders of inter-faith groups and all citizens to pray to God to save the country from plunging into turmoil.
President Mutharika then declared that while Christians go to church on Saturday and Sunday which are not working days, Fridays should be holiday for Muslims from noon to allow them attend mosque prayers.
“All of you in the government must honour this announcement so that our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community pray freely,” the 73-year-old Mutharika told an independence celebration gathering in commercial city of Blantyre.
The remarks were coming amidst very serious political problems dogging the country over Section 65 as the President has made scathing attacks on the Supreme Court which ruled to validate the constitutional provision that will see the collapse of Mutharika’s minority government.
He has also accused his predecessor, Dr Bakili Muluzi now national chairman of opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) of “masterminding” the plot to unseat him.
Parliament was last week forced to adjourn sine-die on rows over the section which opposition leaders wanted the Speaker of Parliament to affect.
But in his 25 minutes speech today, President Mutharika was in appealing mood to the majority opposition block in parliament to approve the national budget.
In a speech to the nation, to mark the country’s 43rd independence anniversary, President Mutharika asked leaders of inter-faith groups and all citizens to pray to God to save the country from plunging into turmoil.
President Mutharika then declared that while Christians go to church on Saturday and Sunday which are not working days, Fridays should be holiday for Muslims from noon to allow them attend mosque prayers.
“All of you in the government must honour this announcement so that our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community pray freely,” the 73-year-old Mutharika told an independence celebration gathering in commercial city of Blantyre.
The remarks were coming amidst very serious political problems dogging the country over Section 65 as the President has made scathing attacks on the Supreme Court which ruled to validate the constitutional provision that will see the collapse of Mutharika’s minority government.
He has also accused his predecessor, Dr Bakili Muluzi now national chairman of opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) of “masterminding” the plot to unseat him.
Parliament was last week forced to adjourn sine-die on rows over the section which opposition leaders wanted the Speaker of Parliament to affect.
But in his 25 minutes speech today, President Mutharika was in appealing mood to the majority opposition block in parliament to approve the national budget.
Muslims snub Bingu on Friday holiday
The Friday holidays for Muslims declared today by President Bingu wa Mutharika during the independence day celebration has been given the brush-off by Muslim fraternity.
Mutharika, in his address at an independence celebration rally at Kamuzu stadium in Blantyre, declared that Friday’s starting a week tomorrow, will be non working day for Muslims from noon, to allow them observe their day of prayer.
But Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) says the holiday is not required.
“As Muslims, on Friday’s we don’t need a full holiday, we only need two hours for our prayers and we do revert to our toil,” said Dr Imran Sharif, secretary general of MAM.
Sharif told Nyasa Times in an interview that what the Muslim community need from government is the declaration of holidays to celebrate the traditional Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Qurban and the day for the birth of their Prophet Muhammad.
He believed the declaration was political appeasement for Muslims who have long blamed the Mutharika government for marginalising them.
“Any political move is a sort of appeasement. He (Mutharika) is trying to achieve something. He wants to get sympathy from Muslims,” remarked Sharif.
A Malawian Muslim in UK, Rhodrick Junaid Kalumpha described the move as “very ill-advised”.
“We don’t need a holiday for this; even the Holy Qur'an does not say that we should rest on Friday. Rather, it exhorts us to go and work after the prayer,” said Kalumpha.
He referred to the verse from the Quran, Chapter 62, and Verse 9-10: “O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allâh [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!
“Then when the (Jumu'ah) Salât (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allâh (by working, etc.), and remember Allâh much, that you may be successful.”
He said the holiday will have negative economic impact on the country.
Mutharika, in his address at an independence celebration rally at Kamuzu stadium in Blantyre, declared that Friday’s starting a week tomorrow, will be non working day for Muslims from noon, to allow them observe their day of prayer.
But Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) says the holiday is not required.
“As Muslims, on Friday’s we don’t need a full holiday, we only need two hours for our prayers and we do revert to our toil,” said Dr Imran Sharif, secretary general of MAM.
Sharif told Nyasa Times in an interview that what the Muslim community need from government is the declaration of holidays to celebrate the traditional Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Qurban and the day for the birth of their Prophet Muhammad.
He believed the declaration was political appeasement for Muslims who have long blamed the Mutharika government for marginalising them.
“Any political move is a sort of appeasement. He (Mutharika) is trying to achieve something. He wants to get sympathy from Muslims,” remarked Sharif.
A Malawian Muslim in UK, Rhodrick Junaid Kalumpha described the move as “very ill-advised”.
“We don’t need a holiday for this; even the Holy Qur'an does not say that we should rest on Friday. Rather, it exhorts us to go and work after the prayer,” said Kalumpha.
He referred to the verse from the Quran, Chapter 62, and Verse 9-10: “O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allâh [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!
“Then when the (Jumu'ah) Salât (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allâh (by working, etc.), and remember Allâh much, that you may be successful.”
He said the holiday will have negative economic impact on the country.
Teenagers' poverty mission
Teenagers will complete a school's hat-trick when they jet out today to help children fighting for survival in a poverty-stricken African country.
Seventeen sixth formers from Sunderland High School will build a school extension, supply a hospital and volunteer in an orphanage during a month-long trip to Malawi.
The determined group has topped £11,000 from fund-raising for the remote village of Nkhotakota, where the pupils have become mini-celebrities.
It's their third expedition in four years to the impoverished African state and the team has spent a year planning the trip and raising the £1,600 to go.
Hauling its own tents and supplies in a day of travelling, the team will bring much-needed medical supplies for the village hospital, school books and cash for a new block at the Julia Sharpe secondary school.
Seventeen-year-old Zora Van Leeuwen, of Ryhope, said: "It will be a life-changing experience. We will be helping out in the orphanage and the day care centre. Many of the parents there have died from Aids.
This is something many of us will never get a chance to do again.
"We have been made aware of things that could happen, but the people there are better off than some of the other surrounding countries – it's known as the heart of Africa."
Carol Bidwell, 17, of Durham, added: "I am looking forward
to the chance to change things for the better. We know we can't change the whole country, but we can make a little bit of it better."
Eighteen-year-old Gary Cameron, of High Barnes, said: "Hopefully I will get some sort of an impression of the culture and learn how to appreciate it."
Since the school's first trip in 2003, the village school had increased its number of pupils from 70 to 300 and keeps in touch with its
Wearside friends via email and the occasional letter.
Sunderland High School headteacher Angela Slater said: "The combined efforts of the expedition team and the school community is enough to finance the construction of an entire new school building, in addition to purchasing school equipment, supplies for the orphanage and medicines for the hospital.
"This year's group is really looking forward to building on the work of the 2003 and 2005 expedition teams."
Seventeen sixth formers from Sunderland High School will build a school extension, supply a hospital and volunteer in an orphanage during a month-long trip to Malawi.
The determined group has topped £11,000 from fund-raising for the remote village of Nkhotakota, where the pupils have become mini-celebrities.
It's their third expedition in four years to the impoverished African state and the team has spent a year planning the trip and raising the £1,600 to go.
Hauling its own tents and supplies in a day of travelling, the team will bring much-needed medical supplies for the village hospital, school books and cash for a new block at the Julia Sharpe secondary school.
Seventeen-year-old Zora Van Leeuwen, of Ryhope, said: "It will be a life-changing experience. We will be helping out in the orphanage and the day care centre. Many of the parents there have died from Aids.
This is something many of us will never get a chance to do again.
"We have been made aware of things that could happen, but the people there are better off than some of the other surrounding countries – it's known as the heart of Africa."
Carol Bidwell, 17, of Durham, added: "I am looking forward
to the chance to change things for the better. We know we can't change the whole country, but we can make a little bit of it better."
Eighteen-year-old Gary Cameron, of High Barnes, said: "Hopefully I will get some sort of an impression of the culture and learn how to appreciate it."
Since the school's first trip in 2003, the village school had increased its number of pupils from 70 to 300 and keeps in touch with its
Wearside friends via email and the occasional letter.
Sunderland High School headteacher Angela Slater said: "The combined efforts of the expedition team and the school community is enough to finance the construction of an entire new school building, in addition to purchasing school equipment, supplies for the orphanage and medicines for the hospital.
"This year's group is really looking forward to building on the work of the 2003 and 2005 expedition teams."
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